Epic’s E1000 AX Turns a Fast Turboprop Into One With Real Backup Brains

Epic Aircraft builds single-engine turboprops that move fast and carry serious loads for their size. The newest version, the E1000 AX, keeps every bit of that performance edge while folding in deeper Garmin automation than the company has used before.

The Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67A engine still produces 1,200 shaft horsepower. That’s plenty of power to match the all-carbon-fiber airframe, which has a maximum cruise speed of 333 real airspeed knots. It can climb at a whopping 4,000 feet per minute and still reach 34,000 feet. With full tanks, it can travel 1,560 nautical miles and still carry 1,150 to 1,177 pounds of payload, depending on how you rig it up.

These numbers placed the E1000 GX at the top of the single-engine turboprop class in terms of speed and usable load. The AX retains the same reliable engine, prop, and basic aerodynamics. What has changed significantly is the cockpit, as well as all of the new safety features. Garmin’s G1000 NXi flight deck is now the focal point of the entire system. The GFC 700 autopilot features envelope protection, a one-button level mode, and tighter connectivity throughout the panel. Then there’s Autothrottle, which is a significant addition to the AX’s capabilities because it manages power from takeoff to landing, maintains commanded speeds, and monitors engine limits so pilots don’t have to keep a close eye on torque, temperature, or overspeed conditions because they’re all handled behind the scenes, and it considers flap and gear position when adjusting thrust, so you don’t have to worry about those details either.

The real show stopper, however, is Garmin’s Autoland technology. If you activate it, either by pressing the ceiling button or because the system detects the pilot is in trouble, the aircraft will level the wings, select the best airport based on distance, runway length, fuel, and weather conditions, fly the approach, configure the plane, land, stop on the runway, and turn off the engine. It also follows proper air traffic control procedures and keeps passengers informed. The certified aircraft now has all of the necessary hardware and integration in place, but full operational activation is still pending regulatory certification, which is expected in the near future.

Even beyond that, several other modifications cut pilot workload even further. To keep the plane coordinated, an auto yaw damper is activated after takeoff and deactivated before landing. When you need to take a break, electronic brake hold prevents the aircraft from drifting about on the ground, and a radar altimeter allows you to see where you are in relation to the surface. If you want to go the extra mile, there is optional StormOptix weather radar and 3D SafeTaxi routing, which provide you with even more situational awareness on the ground and in the air. PlaneSync handles database updates automatically and allows you to monitor your aircraft remotely with no effort.

Inside the cabin, the aircraft has a lot of space for its class, especially when compared to its competitors in the six-seat single turboprop sector, which can sometimes seem tight. People who are 6’8″ or taller can fit rather comfortably up front. The CoolView windows across the cockpit and cabin have a specific gold coating that effectively blocks 73% of infrared heat. This also effectively reduces glare and UV exposure. It also includes high-speed internet via Starlink, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to stay connected while in the air. Furthermore, True Blue Power lithium-ion batteries are an excellent improvement over outdated battery systems, providing improved performance, a longer lifespan, and less maintenance for the owner.

A well-specced E1000 AX will cost between 4.7 and 4.85 million dollars, depending on the options you choose. That puts it on par with other high-end single turboprops and some smaller light jets, but it does have some advantages. For one thing, it is much less expensive to operate than some of its competitors, and the fact that it just has one engine makes it much easier to manage for owner-pilots or pilots in small corporate flight departments.